SIKHISM

ORIGIN
- Sikhism a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in
the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak which continued to progress with ten successive Sikh gurus (the last teaching being the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib). -The word "Sikhism" derives from "Sikh," which means a strong and able disciple. -There are about 23 million Sikhs worldwide, making Sikhism the 5th largest religion in the world. - This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally 'wisdom of the Gur'). Punjab, India is the only region in the world with a majority Sikh population.[6] -The principal beliefs of Sikhi are faith in Wahegururepresented by the phrase ik akr, meaning one God.

Philosophy and Teachings

The origins of Sikhi lie in the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Nanak in these words: "Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living".[8] Sikh teaching emphasizes the principle of equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, and gender. In Sikhi, Godtermed Waheguris shapeless, timeless, and sightless (i.e., unable to be seen with the physical eye). The beginning of the first composition of Sikh scripture is the figure "1"signifying the universality of God. It states that God is omnipresent and infinite with power over everything, and is signified by the termk akr.[12] Guru Nanak's teachings are founded not on a final destination of heaven or hell, but on a spiritual union with God which results in salvation.

-In Sikhi, the influences of ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lustknown as the Five Evilsare believed to be particularly pernicious. The fate of people vulnerable to the Five Evils is separation from God, and the situation may be remedied only after intensive and relentless devotion. Five Evil : a) Kam (lust) b) Krodh (anger/rage) c) Lobh (greed) d) Moh (worldly attachment) e) Ahankar (pride/ego) -It is the primary aim of the practising Sikh to subdue these five inner evils and render them useless. -It's a Sikh's duty to not base their life subject to these five passions of the human heart. To live a life in devotion to the Almighty Waheguru in positive Spirits (Chardikala) and in His Mercy (Hukam). To remember God in Naam Simran, engaged in community service (Sewa) and to practise the Five Virtues. By taking these positive steps, the Five Evils are overcome and rendered ineffective. By adopting this daily routine and discipline the person's actions become pure (Nirmal) and rewarding to the soul and the negativity of the person is removed.

Facts and Stats on Sikhism

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Name - From Punjabi word Sikh, "learner" or "disciple Founded - C. 1500 in India Founder - Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1538) Adherents 23 million Original language Punjabi Script Known as Gurmukhi (literally "From the Guru's mouth"), Sacred text Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) Spiritual leaders Giani, Granthi House of worship Gurdwara Ultimate reality God (In Onkar, Nam) Purpose of life - Overcome the self, align life with will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good 12. Afterlife - Reincarnation until resolve karma and merge with God. 13. Major holidays - Vaisakhi Day, Birthday of Guru Nanak, Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh

Ten Gurus and Religious Authority

- The term Guru comes from the Sanskrit gur, meaning teacher, guide, or mentor. - The traditions and philosophy of Sikhi were established by ten specific gurus from 1469 to 1708. - Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. - Guru Nanak Dev was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor. - Guru Gobind Singh was the final guru in human form. - Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh decreed that the Gur Granth Shib would be the final and perpetual guru of the Sikhs.

The 10 Gurus of Sikhism

2 3 4
5 1 10 9 8

7 6

Sri Guru Granth Sahib

1. Guru Granth Sahib or Adi Sri Granth Sahib Ji also called the Adi Granth or Adi Guru Darbar) is more than just a scripture of the Sikhs, 2. The Sikhs treat this Granth (holy book) as their living Guru. The holy text spans 1430 pages and contains the actual words spoken by the founders of the Sikh religion (the Ten Gurus of Sikhism) and the words of various other Saints from other religions including Hinduism and Islam. 3. Guru Granth Sahib was given the Guruship by the last of the living Sikh Masters, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. Guru Gobind Singh said before his demise that the Sikhs were to treat the Granth Sahib as their next Guru. Guru Ji said Sab Sikhan ko hokam hai Guru Manyo Granth meaning All Sikhs are commanded to take the Granth as Guru. So today, if asked, the Sikhs will tell you that they have a total of 11 Gurus. (10 in human form and the SGGS). 4. When one visits a Gurdwara (a Sikh temple), the Guru Granth Sahib forms the main part of the Darbar Sahib or Main Hall. The holy book is placed on a dominant platform and covered in a very beautiful and attractively coloured fine cloth. The platform is always covered by a canopy, which is also decorated in expensive and very attractive coloured materials. The text in which the Granth is written is a script called Gurmukhi (literally "From the Guru's mouth"), which is considered a modern development of the ancient language called Sanskrit.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Symbol of Sikhism
Khanda
-The Khanda represents knowledge of God -The Chakkar represents the eternal nature of God and oneness of humanity -The two swords represent i) Miri (political sovereignty) and ii) Piri (spiritual sovereignty). double-edged sword called a Khanda A Chakkar which is circular

Two single-edged swords, or kirpans, (Miri and Piri) are crossed at the bottom and sat on either side of the Khanda and Chakkar.

The 5 Ks
Five Articles of Faith -are not just symbols, but articles of faith that collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee's commitment to the Sikh rehni "Sikh way of life". -Kachera, Kara, Kirpan, Kanga and Kesh. A person who wears all these Five Kakaars should be considered a Sikh.

Kesh: uncut hair Kangha: a wooden comb Kara: a metal bracelet Kachera: a specific style of cotton undergarments Kirpan: a strapped curved dagger

Kangha

Kara

Kachera

Kirpan

What Sikhs Believe

-There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.

-The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
-Origin of Universe and Life God existed in deep meditation of the void for countless ages until deciding to create the universe and life. Only God knows how and when the universe and life and the first karma were created.

-After Death Ones soul is continually reborn until liberated by the Grace of God, at which time the soul merges with God (Guru).
-The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.

What Sikhs Believe

- Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc. -Undeserved Suffering Rebirth occurs, but one is not destined to suffer under the law of karma. Suffering is not inflicted directly by God but is permitted by God as a test of courage and faith. Suffering is appreciated for the good that it often brings out in humanity, e.g. compassion. The faithful are most vulnerable to suffering at the hand of evildoers who challenge their faith. Suffering is seen as the remedy and pleasure the disease. -Contemporary Issues Abortion is a sin. Homosexuality is not addressed in scripture, but one source indicated that it is considered as part of one's karma, and subjects the person to psychic imbalance between female and male energies, which could lead to self-destructive behaviours. Gender equality is a stated position and is emphasized in practice. Remarriage of widows is permitted.

Prohibitions in Sikhism
1. Cutting hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden in Sikhism. Sikhs are required to keep unshorn hair. 2. Intoxication: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other intoxicants is not allowed. Intoxicants are strictly forbidden for a Sikh. However the Nihangs of Punjab take an infusion of cannabis to assist meditation. 3. Adultery: In Sikhism, the spouses must be physically and mentally faithful to one another. 4. Blind spirituality: Superstitions and rituals should not be observed or followed, including pilgrimages, fasting and ritual purification; circumcision; idols & grave worship; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc. 5. Material obsession: Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged in Sikhism. 6. Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate holy occasions, etc. are forbidden.

Prohibitions in Sikhism
7. Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monastic (monk/nun) or celibate. Sikhs are to live as saint-soldiers. 8. Worthless talk: Bragging, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. are not permitted. The Guru Granth Sahib tells the Sikh, "Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless. 9. Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests, they were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of Sikhism).The only position he left was a Granthi to look after the Guru Granth Sahib, any Sikh is free to become Granthi or read from the Guru Granth Sahib. 10. Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat from animals slaughtered in a religiously prescribed manner (such as dhabihah orshechita, known as Kutha meat, when the animal is killed by exsanguination via throat-cutting),or any meat where langar is served. The meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatkameat.[ 11. Having extramarital sexual relations.

Darbar Sahib
Darbar Sahib (The Royal Court of the Divine) also known as the Golden Temple is situated in the city of Amritsar in Punjab. Darbar Sahib is a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The temple with it's glistening gold covered exterior stands in the middle of a square tank with each side about 150m with an 18m path on all four sides. The Darbar Sahib has entrances and doors on all four sides. Guru Arjun exclaimed; "My faith is for the people of all castes and all creeds from whichever direction they come and to whichever direction they bow. Guru Amar Das the Third Sikh Guru asked Ram Das (who would go on to become the Fourth Sikh Guru) to build a central place of congregation for the Sikhs. Guru Arjun the Fifth Sikh Guru completed excavation of the Tank known as Amritsar (The Pool of Nectar) in 1588. Guru Arjun then started construction of the Temple building itself which was finally completed in 1601.

Darbar Sahib
The first edition of the Holy Book of the Sikh's The Guru Granth Sahib was installed there in 1604 with Baba Buddha as the first granthi (caretaker of the book). The last Sikh Guru to live in Amritsar was the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind. Around 1740 Massa Ranghar, the ruler of Amritsar desecrated the Temple by using it as a dancing hall. He was killed by Mahtab Singh. In 1761 Ahmed Shah Abdali blew up the Temple and filled in the Sacred Tank with refuse. The construction of the Golden Temple as it appears today was begun in 1764 when Jassa Singh Ahluwalia laid the foundation stone. Many of the doors and domes were covered with copper sheets overlaid with gold during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Darbar Sahib was partially damaged by the military invasion of the Indian Army during June 1984.

Golden Temple at daytime

At night

The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab.

Inside the Golden Temple

Vasakhi Day
Vasakhi also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi) is a festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially in the Punjab region by the Sikh nation Significance : The beginning of the harvest season and birth of the Khalsa -Usually Prayers are held, processions, raising of the Nishan Sahib flag -It is also celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists for different reasons. a)Hindus - Thousands of years ago, Goddess Ganga descended to earth and in her honor, many Hindus gather along the sacred Ganges River for ritual baths. -In Kerala, the festival is called 'Vishu'. -In Assam, the festival is called Bohag Bihu -Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on Baisakhi, in 1875. Therefore, Baisakhi is as special for the Hindus, as it is for Sikhs. In April, this day marks the beginning of the Hindu solar New Year. In fact, this day is celebrated all over the country as New Year day, under different names. b) Buddhists - The name is Vesakha, Vaisakha, Vesak or Wesak. It commemorates the Birth, the Awakening and the Enlightened Passing Away of Buddha Gautama who was born as prince Siddharta. The festival occurs on the full moon day of May and has no connections with either harvest festivals or New Year's Day.

Nishan Sahib

THE enD!!